5Russian Hawthorn

(Crataegus ambigua)

The Russian hawthorn is a species of thorn (hawthorn) native to Western Asia and Eastern Europe, including Armenia, Iran, Russia and Turkey. It grows as a shrub or tree up to about 35 feet in height. The fruit is dark red to purple or black, with one or two stones, and the bark’s characteristic gold–bronze color provides winter-interest.

Photo Credit: Patrick McDonald

The bark is similar to aspen but ihas a shiny gold color. Photo Credit: patrick